A serial keyboard interface is a piece of hardware that allows you to connect a standard keyboard to a computer or other device using a serial communication port. Serial communication refers to a type of data transmission where data travels one bit at a time over a single wire (often with additional control wires).

Here’s a breakdown of how a serial keyboard interface works:

1. Keyboard Input: When you press a key on the keyboard, the keyboard generates a scancode that corresponds to the pressed key.
2. Scancode Conversion: The serial keyboard interface translates the scancode into a format that the connected device can understand. This format typically follows a protocol like IBM PC XT/AT or Keyboard Interface Protocol (KBD).
3. Serial Data Transmission: The converted data is then transmitted serially (one bit at a time) through the serial port to the connected device.